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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 11 · General History · 31 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
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Canto 11 · Chapter 17: Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Description of the Varṇāśrama System
11.17.4111.17.43

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.17.42

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 11.17.9inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

ब्राह्मणस्य हि देहोऽयं क्षुद्रकामाय नेष्यते ।

कृच्छ्राय तपसे चेह प्रेत्यानन्तसुखाय च ॥ ४२ ॥

brāhmaṇasya hi deho ’yaṁ

kṣudra-kāmāya neṣyate

kṛcchrāya tapase ceha

pretyānanta-sukhāya ca

Translation

The body of a brāhmaṇa is not intended to enjoy insignificant material sense gratification; rather, by accepting difficult austerities in his life, a brāhmaṇa will enjoy unlimited happiness after death.

Read the purport on Vedabase.io

From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Use the Body for Kṛṣṇa’s Service

  1. 1

    Advanced human life is meant for serious austerity, not insignificant sense gratification. A brāhmaṇa should remain detached from the temporary body and accept life’s necessities.

  2. 2

    Spiritual advancement leads beyond absorption in a body destined to grow old, become diseased and die. An advanced brāhmaṇa returns to Godhead and enjoys unlimited spiritual bliss.

  3. 3

    Pure devotees engage everything in Kṛṣṇa’s service, beyond both personal enjoyment and renunciation. They eat to gain strength for service, rather than choosing rich or meager food merely for the body’s sake.

Key points from the purport
  • One may ask why a brāhmaṇa should voluntarily accept inconvenience in keeping his body and soul together.
  • In this verse the Lord explains that advanced human life is meant for serious austerity and not for insignificant sense gratification.
  • One should remain detached from the material body, accepting only the bare necessities of life.

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

How it feels

Uncertainty → Clarity. The coming separation makes the instruction personally urgent.

Chapters 10–20 of Canto 11: Kṛṣṇa's teachings on self, yoga and wisdom. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 17: Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Description of the Varṇāśrama System

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

He should render menial service to the spiritual master by massaging his feet and worshiping him and should avoid all sense gratification and strictly maintain the vow of celibacy. With his mind, body and words, he should worship the Supreme Lord in the form of the Supersoul in the way prescribed for him.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.17
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. brāhmaṇasyaof a brāhmaṇa
  2. hicertainly
  3. dehaḥbody
  4. ayamthis
  5. kṣudrainsignificant
  6. kāmāyafor sense gratification
  7. nanot
  8. iṣyateis meant
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.17

    In this verse: “sense gratification”, “material”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 11.17

    In this verse: “death”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 11.17

    In this verse: “devotees”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Do I care for my body mainly for enjoyment, or to gain strength for serving Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

At one meal today, remember that eating is meant to give you strength for the Lord’s service.

Live this todayUse the Body for Kṛṣṇa’s ServiceThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 11.17.42? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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